The Madeleine Cyclo is now well-known on the French sportive calendar. The route changes almost every year on the same basis, with a finish at the summit of the mythical pass of the same name. It is one of the most demanding routes offered to sportive riders. It will take place this Sunday, August 1st.
By David Polveroni – Photos: Justine Dupenloup/Strava screenshots
Let’s look in detail at what will be offered to riders this Sunday, August 1st, and focus on the main route. There are three routes offered: La Croix de Fer with 135 km and an announced 4700 m of elevation gain, La Madeleine with 115 km and 3750 m of elevation gain, and finally Le Montvernier, which is lighter but still has a high ratio, as it will require climbing 2650 m of elevation gain over 60 km… This last route is also offered as a non-timed randonnée version, with a 35 km route that includes “only” the Col de la Madeleine after a short warm-up in the valley. In short, something to satisfy everyone.
The main event, the 135 km.
The start is in La Chambre, and no longer in Saint-Francois as it was a few years ago. After 25 km of valley, and two or three short climbs to warm up, things start shortly after Saint-Jean-de Maurienne. You will tackle the Col du Mollard at 1638 m altitude over 18 km and a little over 1000m of elevation gain.
This pass has a characteristic: it is climbed in switchbacks. 45 switchbacks over 12 km up to Albiez-le-Vieux. After a short flat section, the gradient eases before becoming steeper again until the summit of the pass, with 1.5 km at nearly 10%.
A descent that I always find a bit tricky to manage, and which, according to my sources, has recently had some gravel sections, so be careful. Arriving on the road to La Croix de Fer, it climbs gently at first up to Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, where the real difficulty begins.
600 m of elevation gain in just under 7 km… or 9% average gradient on a road that isn’t always great. You’ll touch, then exceed, 2000 m in a postcard-perfect setting at the summit. You can admire the Aiguilles d’Arves on your left before passing the summit.
2.5 km of fairly fast descent where you can take a break to refuel and put on a windbreaker if necessary, before tackling a short climb and then the Glandon and its descent. Be vigilant, because often, at least at the front, it descends very, too, fast… People have died for a reason in the past on the Marmotte, and this section is now also neutralized.
It’s long. Once you arrive in Saint-Etienne-de-Cuines, turn right at the bottom, three or four km of valley with a small climb, and then it’s off for the final Chaussy-Madeleine sequence.
The Chaussy can be broken down into two parts. The first part features the Lacets de Montvernier, made famous by the Tour de France, which zigzags non-stop for three km, with 18 switchbacks.
At this stage of the race, we should be in small groups… However, be careful, personally I have suffered and seen major breakdowns here or after this climb: this Montvernier-Chaussy sequence is not frightening, but you arrive here already a bit tired and it is a pass very exposed to the sun. So be careful in case of a heatwave or even just heat, it hits hard! Well, I also did a Madeleine in the snow, a compromise would be good for the riders this Sunday…
Let’s get back to this pass. After the switchbacks and passing through Montvernier, the real Col du Chaussy begins. No alarming percentages, some slightly steeper ramps around 1150 m altitude, and a finish where you can see the summit in the distance. I advise saving some energy for later. Reserve your efforts for the end of the climb.
With 105 km already in your legs here, at over 1500 m but with a lot of elevation gain already, 3210 m to be exact. This is followed by another winding descent where you need to be vigilant… This year we descend almost all the way back to La Chambre; I hope some won’t be tempted to go straight to their car.
In Saint-Martin-de-la-Chambre, it’s time to unleash your last reserves: here you have 17.5 km left for almost 1500 m of elevation gain. No need to add more, it’s going to be tough, especially since, in my opinion, this is the hardest side of the Madeleine, with long sections at 9/10% or even more. So even if Colbrelli was riding at a steady pace at the front of the peloton for a long time in 2020, believe me, it’s hard… a small flat section to reach Saint-Francois-Longchamp, then it will end at the summit after 5 km of pure beauty through the pastures. We can’t wait to get up there at 2000m! https://www.strava.com/segments/24624092?filter=overall
